For several days, I went through a strange state of mind, unable to fully believe what was happening. So many thoughts kept running through my head.
"Does he really love me? What if he's lying to me? Is this all just a dream? Even if it's true, can I really forgive him? What if he gets back together with his ex-wife? What if he's only using me?"
I kept thinking of everything that could go wrong rather than focusing on the good things.
In the end, I realized that I needed to have a sincere, heart-to-heart conversation with him. So I called him and told him that I wanted to meet and talk.
We agreed to meet.
He had made a dinner reservation at a restaurant, and when I arrived that evening, he was waiting for me at the entrance. He was dressed beautifully.
As soon as I saw him, I realized that he was still the same man I had fallen in love with at first sight—the first love I had never truly forgotten.
My heart began pounding faster and faster.
We walked upstairs together, and I reached for his hand and held it tightly.
"You look beautiful," he said with a warm smile.
He invited me to sit at the dinner table, pulling out my chair for me.
While we looked over the menu and ordered our food, we began to talk.
I didn't know where to start. But I knew one thing—I had to be completely honest with him. There was no point in hiding my thoughts or pretending to be someone I wasn't.
So "I've loved you since seventh grade.
One day, a car drove past our little kiosk, and you were sitting inside. The moment I saw your face, I fell in love with you at first sight.
After I found you and finally got the chance to see you, I felt like I had to tell you how I felt, so I gave you a letter. Until that moment, I had been incredibly happy. But after that, I went through everything—being mocked, teased, and bullied.
Even after everything that happened, I was still shocked when you suddenly came back into my life. And honestly, I still can't believe that you fell in love with the girl you once completely ignored.
I thought about it for a long time, and eventually, I forgave you. I think we should leave everything that happened in the past and let it stay there. Instead, I think we should talk about what we want our future to look like."
As I finished speaking, he gently took both of my hands in his.
"Thank you so much for forgiving me. And yes, I completely understand why you find it hard to believe me. Anyone would be surprised if someone suddenly came back into their life and said they were in love.
Let me tell you what happened to me.
After I separated from my wife and child, I spent two whole years drinking and chasing after parties and entertainment. I knew my life was going downhill, but I couldn't seem to pull myself out of it.
Then, when I was going through one of the hardest periods of my life, you suddenly appeared in my life.
I even wondered why I had never looked at you differently before.
I knew I missed you, but I didn't realize that what I was feeling was love.
I wanted to see you. I wanted to hear your voice. I missed you so much. I even dreamed about you. There were times when I saw someone walking down the street who looked like you, and I mistook her for you and called out to her.
Then I started wondering, 'Why am I acting like this?'
That was when I realized that I had fallen in love with you.
But I had been completely unaware of how deeply I had hurt you. I was so afraid that you would never forgive me.
And yet, you came to meet me. You forgave me. I'm truly grateful for that.
From now on, I want to be with you.
If we can… could we forget everything that happened and start over together?"
He looked into my eyes as if silently asking me for help, hope, and an answer.
At that very moment, it felt as though my heart stopped.
A sudden warmth rushed to my face, and I was filled with a soft, beautiful feeling that I had almost forgotten existed.
I took a deep breath and began to tell him everything that had been on my mind.
In response, I said,
"I don't understand myself either. I thought I would never accept you again, but my heart keeps racing whenever I'm with you. Yes… I think I've fallen in love with you all over again."
He smiled, stood up from his chair, pulled me gently toward him, and kissed me softly on the forehead.
"Thank you for giving me another chance," he whispered.
As we ate, we talked about our pasts and the reasons our previous relationships had failed.
He had a daughter who lived with his mother. I also had a daughter, and we discovered that our children were only two years apart.
"Gerlee, who cares about our past anymore?" he said. "Let's leave the past where it belongs and look toward the future. From now on, let's live our lives together."
I nodded and smiled.
For the first time in a long time, I felt as though something inside me had finally become whole.
The next day, he came to meet my family.
My parents liked him.
"If the two of you can stand on your own and build a good life together, then your father has no reason to object," my father said. "But, my son, love my daughter and never let the light in her eyes fade. Make her happy. You have a daughter of your own, so love my granddaughter as if she were your own daughter and raise her with the same care."
My mother added,
"You have both been married before, so I believe you understand what life is really like. Support each other, learn from your mistakes, and keep the warmth of your home alive. I wish you both a happy life together."
The following day, I went to meet his family.
His mother took my hands and said,
"Thank you, my dear, for saving my son's life and choosing to build a life with him. Please love my son and make him happy. Since you both have daughters, please raise both children with equal love and care. Never make either of them feel less loved than the other."
His father, on the other hand, kissed me gently on the forehead and said,
"You are a lovely girl with a warm and kind presence. I believe you can build a beautiful life with my son. If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to come to me and ask."
Every word from the elders felt like both advice and a blessing. Their words gave me so much to think about and reminded me of the responsibilities that came with beginning a new family.
A few days later, I sold my apartment, and he sold his house and property. We combined our money and bought a new home together.
We opened the door and walked inside, looking at each room and imagining our life there.
When we came back out, he suddenly got down on one knee in front of me.
"My love, will you marry me?" he asked.
"I will," I replied.
And just like that, after wandering through a life filled with confusion, mistakes, and heartbreak, I finally found my true love.
I was incredibly lucky.
I had managed to make my first love my own.
Epilogue
Looking back on my life, I sincerely hope that you, my readers, have found something meaningful to take away from the love stories I have shared with you—something that made you think, something that touched your heart, or perhaps something that reminded you not to give up on love.
I wish each and every one of you to find a beautiful love of your own and live a life filled with happiness, understanding, and warmth.
May you find the person who truly belongs beside you, cherish one another, and grow old together in happiness.
With love,
Writer Erdenebaatar's Munguntuul…